Mission Statement

The College of Education at Temple University believes that education improves the lives of children and their families. By ensuring access to high-quality education and empowering all students with the tools they need to achieve, the education profession protects our democratic institutions and promotes social justice. The College of Education aims to play a critical role in promoting educational opportunity both locally and nationally.

As a result of its strategic location in North Philadelphia and its long-term history of collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia, the College of Education is uniquely situated to impact educational practice in city schools. The preparation of teachers, administrators and other school professionals to improve the quality of education, especially in urban settings, remains a core activity of the College.

College faculty conduct and promote research that addresses significant issues of national importance that have immediate practical applications. They investigate problems, evaluate strategic responses to those problems and provide evidence for new practice.

History

While the official date for the founding of the College of Education is usually given as 1919, the College has included teacher preparation as part of its curricula almost from its inception. It is clear from Temple's history that the unofficial founder of the College was Laura Carnell, who began a program for the preparation of kindergarten teachers as early as 1895. This preparation program was expanded into elementary and then secondary areas largely in response to the Philadelphia School District's decision that higher positions in the City's school system would be open only to those with a college degree. In response to this need, the College began offering two, three, and four-year programs to teachers, as well as extension work, day and evening courses, five days a week and on Saturday mornings. This intimate relationship between the College and the School District of Philadelphia characterizes almost all of the College's history. The College was one of the first institutions to schedule courses so that teachers could take them after school hours. Programs of graduate study at the master's level were introduced in 1923, with the Doctor of Education being first awarded in 1931.

The first dean of the College was George Walk, who took over "Teachers College" in 1919 from Laura Carnell (the official name was changed to the "College of Education" in 1960). At present, there are three departments in the College: Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology in Education; Educational Leadership and Policy Studies; and Psychological Studies in Education.

Historically, Temple's College of Education has had a significant impact on local and regional practice. It has always been the largest college of education in the region and one of the largest in the country. The College continues to be the major provider of teachers for the Philadelphia School District and for many suburban districts. Many principals and superintendents of the neighboring regions have received their degrees from Temple. Many of the school psychologists, counselors, educational researchers, and other education professionals have been prepared at Temple. In a very real sense, the College of Education has helped to shape the educational direction of the region.

Accreditation

Undergraduate programs in the College of Education are designed for a multitude of professional applications. While a majority of its students seek certification to teach in elementary and secondary schools, the College also has programs that prepare athletic trainers, exercise scientists, and those who seek to work in educational settings in business and industry. The Pennsylvania Department of Education approves programs leading to certification. The Pennsylvania Department of Education maintains reciprocity agreements with many of the states in the region. The College of Education is a Member of the Holmes Group, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the Association of Colleges and Schools of Education in State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators, and the University Council for Educational Administration. All College of Education teacher education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Admissions

Students are considered for admission into the College of Education upon meeting University criteria. Note, however, that admission to the College of Education does not assure admission to a teacher certification program.

To be admitted to a teacher certification program, students must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete a minimum of 48 semester hours with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.*

Complete the University Core requirements, including 6 credits of mathematics and 6 credits of English/literature.

Receive a grade of C or higher in courses required for the undergraduate degree at Temple.

Receive passing scores on the Praxis I, the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST), in the areas of Reading (0172), Writing (0173), and Mathematics (0173). (Note: Students are required to pass with these scores in the state of Pennsylvania. Different states have different passing scores.)

Pass a speech assessment (certified clinician; standards-based).

Pass with a C+ or higher in the general professional education courses: Ed 0122 and Ed 0255.

Students must be admitted to a certification program in order to enroll in the professional certification sequence and student teaching.

Transfer Students

Students who wish to transfer to the College of Education from another institution must be admitted through the Temple University Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Transfer credits will be evaluated in the Admissions Office in accordance with College of Education and University policy.

Changes in Program Requirements

Students should be aware that a major revision of most undergraduate teacher certification programs occurred for students admitted to the College of Education after July 1, 1999. In addition, the Special Education curriculum underwent further revisions in 2003. These changes have been reflected in this Bulletin. Students are encouraged to check with the Office of Student Services, or with the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology in Education, to verify the requirements that pertain to their specific case. In addition, students should check the Web version of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the most current information about College of Education program requirements at the Program Descriptions section, or the College of Education's website at www.temple.edu/education.

Students admitted into the College of Education prior to July 1, 1999, and who have been continuously enrolled, are affected by the requirements in place when they were admitted.

Financial Aid, Scholarship Information

The Mario D. Fantini Scholarship - This is an annual scholarship renewable each year, leading to the bachelor's degree. The recipient must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for renewal each year. Bill Cosby, a University Trustee, established the scholarship with his wife, Camille, in memory of Mario D. Fantini, distinguished educator and alumnus of the University. The scholarship is designed to produce persons of excellence, committed to educational excellence for others, who transcend artificial barriers to make a difference in education. All applicants must be graduates of South Philadelphia High School and must be pursuing a career in education. The first Fantini Scholarship was awarded in 1990, for up to four years. The recipient was selected by the President of Temple from recommendations sent to a Temple scholarship committee. The faculty of South Philadelphia High School makes nominations for the scholarship. Applications may be obtained from the guidance counselors at the high school. Students who are interested in this scholarship should contact the Dean of the College of Education.

Benjamin Rosner Memorial Loan Fund - Short-term emergency loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students who are degree candidates. Information and applications are available in the Advising Office, Ritter Annex, Room 238.

Dr. Alfred and Shirley Freeman Scholarship - Established in 1998 by Alfred (CLA ’49, MED ’53) and Shirley (EDU ’47) Freeman to provide scholarships for junior or senior students majoring in elementary education who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.

Dr. Mildred Rice Jordan Scholarship - Established in 2002 by Mildred Rice Jordan, (EDU ’65, ’89) to provide scholarships for College of Education students who have a desire to teach in an urban school district.

Dalibor W. Kralovec Scholarship - Established in 1999 by a bequest from Olga Kralovec to provide scholarships for junior or senior students in the College of Education who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.

Dr. Margaret J. Messinger Scholarship - Established in 1999 by LeRoy J. Messinger (CLA ’62) to provide scholarships for undergraduate students in the College of Education and graduate students in educational or school psychology who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.

Jane Adams Scholarship in Education Fund - Established in 2004 by the Andrew Allen Charitable Foundation to provide scholarships for students with an interest in embarking upon a career teaching special education.

Kenneth Brennen Scholarship Fund - Established in 2002 by Kenneth Brennen (CLA ’62, ’66) to provide scholarships for secondary education majors who are pursuing teacher certification in physics or chemistry and who demonstrate financial need.

Comcast-Central High School Endowed Scholarship Fund - Established in 2001 by Comcast Cable Communications, Inc., to provide scholarships for College of Education students who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need, with preference to graduates of Central High School who have demonstrated a commitment to teach at least three years in the School District of Philadelphia.

Rober J. Flynn Endowment Fund - Established in 2000 by Robert J. Flynn (EDU ’54) to provide scholarships to College of Education students who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.

Eva and Nathan Garfinkle Endowment Scholarship Fund - Established in 1988 by the family of Eva (EDU ’33) and Nathan (EDU ’31) Garfinkle to provide scholarships for junior or senior education majors who are pursuing a teaching or leadership career and have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.

Bernard and Marie Granor Endowment Fund - Established in 1999 by Granor’s children Bernard (CLA ’51, LAW ’53) and Marie Brichta (EDU ’52) in honor of their 45th wedding anniversary, to provide an award for one or more undergraduate education majors for the purpose of purchasing books and/or other required course materials.

Edna R. Green Scholarship in Education Fund - Established in 2003 by Edna R. Green (EDU ’34), to provide scholarships for secondary education students with financial need who plan to teach general science, chemistry or physics with preference given to graduates of the Philadelphia High School for Girls.

Emma Johnson Scholarship Fund - Established to provide scholarships for students majoring in elementary education.

Dilys Martha (EDU ’56) and Martha Ann Jones Scholarship Fund - Established in 1996 by David T. Jones to provide scholarships for students in the College of Education who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.

Schlimm Family Endowed Education Scholarship Fund - Established in 2000 by Loraine Schlimm (EDU ’33) and Roxanne Schlimm (SBM ’34) to provide scholarships for current freshmen or incoming students in the College of Education who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need, with preference given to graduates of Philadelphia High School for Girls.

Professional Programs and Teacher Certification

Professional Educator Programs

The College of Education strives to prepare caring, competent, and qualified professionals for educational settings. Aspiring teachers must know the content they will teach, know how to teach the content, and meet high standards of teacher professionalism. To this end, programs in the College of Education are conceptualized around the notion of valuing the diversity of individual learners. We believe in the inherent worth of learners and that in schools and classrooms, as in society, diversity is a resource for learning, not an obstacle to be overcome. The diversity of learners is addressed through the following:

Imparting a thorough knowledge of subject matter and familiarity with the pedagogy, educational technology, and competencies essential to professional practice;

Contributing to the development of the scientific aspect of education through emphasis on the spirit of inquiry and development of research skills;

Promoting improvement in education as a field of both theoretical and applied scholarship;

Evolving such types of preparations as shall ensure the broadest possible social as well as academic and professional education in a dramatically-changing world;

Developing educational personnel able to contribute effectively in a pluralistic society;

Discovering, through research by students and faculty, new knowledge in the field of education.

Teacher Certification

Temple provides a variety of ways to obtain certification to teach in public elementary and secondary schools. The major routes to certification are as follows:

Through undergraduate programs in the College of Education: Students who have met the University's admission criteria can request matriculation in the College of Education. There are four broad categories of teaching certificates offered through the College: Elementary Education (for teaching in elementary schools through the sixth grade); Secondary Education (in English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies); and Career and Technical Education (formerly Vocational/Technical Education). Students who are in the Elementary Education Program must also choose an additional area of certification in either Early Childhood Education or Special Education.

Through the Five-Year Master's/Teacher Certification Program: Students who meet specific admissions criteria may be conditionally admitted into the Graduate Certification Program while still undergraduates. The Five-Year Program offers the opportunity for undergraduates from other colleges to obtain an undergraduate degree in their content area while simultaneously pursuing a master's and secondary teaching certification. Qualified students who are accepted into this competitive program enroll in graduate-level courses beginning in the fall semester of the junior year. Upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree, students make a seamless transition into graduate studies in the College of Education for one additional year. After satisfying all graduate program requirements, students are awarded a Master's in Education with teacher certification.

Through the Graduate Certification Program in the College of Education: Students who have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a field outside of education may earn an Intern and an Instructional I certificate in our post-baccalaureate program and a master of education degree. Programs are available in Elementary, Secondary, Special Education, and Career and Technical Education. In some cases, prerequisite courses are required.

Through undergraduate and graduate programs in other colleges: Certification in a variety of areas outside of those provided through the College of Education or through the Five-Year Teacher Certification program is provided by several other colleges. These include:

Art - through the Tyler School of Art

Health and Physical Education - through the College of Health Professions

Music - through the Boyer College of Music and Dance

Speech - through the School of Health Professions

Students who are interested in any of these certificates should contact the Dean's office in the appropriate college. Information about all programs leading to certification can be found in the appropriate sections of this Bulletin and are indexed.

The College of Education offers an array of post-baccalaureate programs. See the Graduate Bulletinfor more information.